By Noble Uchegbu Uchechukwu Zachariah
After years of dormancy, the long-discontinued Performance Incentive at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, has been revived, marking yet another significant milestone under the visionary leadership of the Rector, Dr. Mrs. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe.
Last week, staff of the institution received two to three months’ arrears of Performance Incentive for 2025, a development widely described across campus as both timely and unexpected. The payment, effected barely 16 months into the Rector’s tenure, underscores the administration’s commitment to staff welfare despite prevailing financial constraints.
Speaking with the Rector’s Media Crew, the Bursar of the Polytechnic, Mrs. Chinyere Adanne Ojiuko, expressed profound appreciation to the Polytechnic community for their patience and understanding as the young administration steadily works to stabilize the institution’s finances.
According to her, the administration is currently navigating multiple financial obligations with limited merger funds, yet has remained resolute in prioritizing staff welfare. She commended the Rector for her courage in approving the backlog of Overtime Allowance and reassured staff that deliberate measures are being put in place to gradually offset other outstanding obligations.
“This administration is intentional about restoring confidence and dignity to the workforce. The payment of these arrears, though modest, reflects a sincere resolve to do what is right, step by step,” the Bursar noted.
Further shedding light on the institution’s financial realities during the just concluded Imo State at 50 Celebration, the Rector, Dr. Mrs. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe, disclosed that her administration inherited a staggering debt profile of over ₦4.6 billion, which has been under active servicing within her 16 months in office.
She passionately appealed for Federal Government intervention funds to help ease the debt burden, reduce the growing debit rate, and enable the Polytechnic meet its statutory and operational obligations more efficiently.
In the same vein, Dr. Igbokwe praised the Federal Polytechnic Nekede workforce for their resilience, patience, and uncommon spirit of cooperation during these challenging times, assuring them that staff and students’ welfare remain non negotiable priorities within her 11-Point Agenda.
“Nothing will stop our resolve to place staff and students first. This administration is committed to finishing strong, and better days are ahead,” she affirmed.
Regarding the recently paid Performance Incentive arrears, the Rector appealed to staff to receive it in good faith, assuring them that it represents only the beginning of improved welfare delivery under her watch.
A random interface by the Rector’s Media Crew with staff across campus revealed overwhelming excitement and gratitude. Many staff members described the payment as a surprise they least expected, especially considering the long years of discontinuation.
The common sentiment echoed across Divisions and Units was heartfelt appreciation to the *Rector, the Bursar, and the entire Management Team for demonstrating empathy, responsiveness, and decisive leadership.
Evidently, the revival of the Performance Incentive (Overtime Allowance) at Federal Polytechnic Nekede is more than a financial gesture, t is a strong statement of intent. It reflects an administration determined to rebuild trust, restore institutional morale, and steadily reposition the Polytechnic on the path of stability and excellence.
As expectations rise, so does hope, with many within the community confident that the Igbokwe administration is laying a firm foundation for a more responsive and humane academic environment.
